Torontoโs Basketball Drama: Drake vs. DeRozan?
So, here we are in Toronto, where not only do the fans cheer for the Raptors, but they also keep an eye on the superstar thatโs part of the furniture at Scotiabank Arenaโyes, weโre talking about Drake. This past Saturday night was a special occasion, as the Raptors were retiring the jersey of none other than Vince Carter. But instead of just celebrating basketball nostalgia, Drake decided to stir the pot a little by taking some shots at former Raptor and current Sacramento King, DeMar DeRozan.
Drakeโs Bold Claims on the Broadcast
While appearing on the Raptors broadcast, Drake casually dropped the bomb, saying, โIf you ever put up a DeRozan banner, Iโll go up there and pull it down myself.โ Oof! Thatโs a hefty claim coming from one of musicโs biggest names. Drake didnโt stop there; he even called DeRozan a โgoofโ during another chat. You could almost hear the collective gasp from the fans watching at home!
The DeRozan Effect
Now letโs roll back a bitโDeRozan is not just any player; he spent a solid nine seasons with the Raptors and holds the title of the teamโs all-time leading scorer. Fans were heartbroken when he was traded in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard. Sure, it led the Raptors to their glorious NBA Championship win in 2019, but it still left a mark on many supporters who loved DeRozan.
After the game, DeRozan was asked about Drakeโs comments, and he had the crowd chuckling when he replied, โHe gonna have a long way to climb to take it down.โ This statement showed that even though thereโs a bit of tension in the air, DeRozan is ready to laugh it off. It was a perfect reminder that sometimes sports rivalries mix with friendships, and not everything needs to be taken too seriously.
A Friendship Turned Competitive
Itโs interesting to note the backstory here. DeRozan and Drake used to be friends back when DeRozan played for the Raptors, but then Kendrick Lamar entered the frame. The rap rivalry between Drake and Lamar took center stage when Lamar dropped a track that called out Drake and his crew. In the song โNot Like Us,โ he even said, โIโm glad DeRozโ came home, yโall didnโt deserve him neither,โ acknowledging DeRozanโs return to his roots in L.A.
DeRozan even made an appearance in the music video for the song, and there he was on stage during Lamarโs โPop Outโ concert alongside big names like LeBron James and James Harden. At one point, DeRozan expressed that he would always have love for Drake. But it seems Drake didnโt reciprocate those feelings as openly.
Challenges on the Horizon
As this little feud heats up, it leaves fans wondering whatโs next. Will we see more jabs thrown on social media? Will DeRozan take up the challenge and find a way to hang a jersey banner in the Raptorsโ arena? One thing is for sure: Toronto basketball is as much about the personalities and friendships as it is about the game itself, and this latest chapter is a reminder of that.
Final Thoughts
So, as Toronto embraces this ongoing drama, itโll be fun to see how it unfolds. Will Drake lay low, or will he drop more provocations? Will DeRozan take the high road, or will he fight back? For now, we just sit back and watch this reality show play out on the hardwood. Basketball and rapโtwo worlds colliding, and itโs definitely entertaining!
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
